Cob: Dorokon ya

[Darel Henman]

Hi all,
   I just found what is reported to be the last dorokon-ya in  Japan.  
A decade ago there were about 13 I believe.  Dorokon-ya, is a maker of
clay mud for duab applications.  The professional mud wall masters will
when order this when they can't do it on-site, or need a particular
color or consistency, and so will place an order to this place which
willthen produce the mud you request.  It of course includes adding the
straw at various stages to have variously feremented stage straw in it
and it will age the wet soil for as long as you order.  Historic
buildings will keep their mud mixture soaking in water for up to two
years.  The longer the better it is reported.

   Anyway, I hope to go down and visit it in person in a few weeks. 
Unfortunately its about two hours away.


Darel